Seasonal ice rink event at Queen Victoria Memorial, Lancaster

“26/00591/FUL Temporary change of use of land for the siting of a Christmas market and ice rink, comprising market stalls, a food and beverage marquee, fairground rides, an observation wheel, and associated infrastructure and facilities (including chillers, skate exchange tent, electrical cabinet, fencing, hoardings, access ramps and barriers). Castle Ward A(C)”

“National policy places significant weight on supporting economic growth, town centre vitality and healthy, inclusive communities. The proposal represents a leisure attraction which has become an established feature of Lancaster's winter events. The submitted information demonstrates that the event has operated successfully since 2019, and has attracted substantial visitor numbers.”

“The event has now operated successfully over a number of seasons under temporary permissions. During this period there has been an opportunity to assess its effects on the city centre, surrounding heritage assets, nearby residents, highways and public spaces. There is no substantive evidence before the Local Planning Authority to suggest that the event has resulted in unacceptable impacts that would justify bringing the seasonal use to an end.”

“The proposal would result in temporary harm to the setting of designated heritage assets and would temporarily occupy part of an important civic open space. However, in line with NPPF policy HE6, this harm is considered to be outweighed by the public benefits arising from the development.”

“Significant weight is attached to the economic, social and cultural benefits generated by the event. The evidence demonstrates that Lancaster-on-Ice has become an established and successful attraction since its introduction in 2019. Previous events have attracted substantial visitor numbers, supporting local businesses, enhancing the vitality of the city centre and providing recreational and community benefits.”

“The key planning considerations in the assessment of this application are: ➢ Principle of development ➢ Open Space and Public Realm ➢ Impact on Trees and Biodiversity ➢ Impact of Residential Amenity and Existing Businesses ➢ Traffic and parking considerations ➢ Security…”

“It was proposed by Councillor Robert Redfern, and seconded by Councillor Keith Budden:”

“That the application be approved subject to the conditions in the Committee Report and to delegate authority to the Chief Officer – Planning and Climate Change to secure an updated CMS and AMS and if found satisfactory to approve the application as per the updated documents and subject to an additional condition regarding restriction on the maximum height of the observation wheel.”

“Upon being put to the vote, 11 Councillors voted in favour of the proposal with none against and one abstention, whereupon the Chair declared the proposal to have been carried.”

“Each year, before the event is installed, a photographic survey of the site shall be carried out, including all elevations of the Queen Victoria Memorial and the balustrades and steps within the square. A further photographic survey shall be carried out after the event has been removed. If damage is identified, a scheme of remedial works shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority and then carried out in accordance with the approved details. 7.”